근무하다 (geun-mu-ha-da, geunmuhada) · 일하다 (il-ha-da, ilhada)
근무하다 mainly refers to formal work at a workplace, while 일하다 covers a broader range of work including everyday labor or activities.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
To work formally at a workplace or institution during designated hours.
When to use
Working as a full-time employee at a company, Working at a government office, Working at institutions like hospitals or schools
The nuance
Use 근무하다 when referring to working in formal workplaces like companies, government offices, or hospitals, typically with set working hours and defined roles.
To do work or labor in general, including both formal jobs and various everyday tasks.
When to use
Doing house chores, Working a part-time job, Working in farming or construction sites
The nuance
Use 일하다 for all kinds of labor or tasks, including informal jobs, part-time work, house chores, farming, and more; it is broader and less formal than 근무하다.
저는 삼성전자에서 근무하고 있습니다.
jeo-neun sam-seong-jeon-ja-e-seo geun-mu-ha-go iss-seup-ni-da., jeo neun sam seong jeon ja e seo geun mu ha go iss seup ni da.
When working full-time at a company like Samsung Electronics, '근무하다' is appropriate.
저는 삼성전자에서 일하고 있습니다.
jeo-neun sam-seong-jeon-ja-e-seo il-ha-go iss-seup-ni-da., jeo neun sam seong jeon ja e seo il ha go iss seup ni da.
'일하다' can mean working at a company, but '근무하다' sounds more natural when emphasizing formal full-time work.
집에서 근무했어요.
jip-e-seo geun-mu-haess-eo-yo., jip e seo geun mu haess eo yo.
'근무하다' usually means working at an official workplace; for working at home, use '일하다'.
집에서 일했어요.
jip-e-seo il-haess-eo-yo., jip e seo il haess eo yo.
'일하다' is correct for work done at home, including house chores or telecommuting.
병원에서 근무하는 간호사입니다.
byeong-won-e-seo geun-mu-ha-neun gan-ho-sa-ip-ni-da., byeong won e seo geun mu ha neun gan ho sa ip ni da.
Use '근무하다' when referring to working at formal institutions like hospitals.
병원에서 일하는 간호사입니다.
byeong-won-e-seo il-ha-neun gan-ho-sa-ip-ni-da., byeong won e seo il ha neun gan ho sa ip ni da.
'일하다' is possible, but '근무하다' better emphasizes formal employment.
농장에서 근무합니다.
nong-jang-e-seo geun-mu-hap-ni-da., nong jang e seo geun mu hap ni da.
A farm is not a formal office job, so use '일하다' instead of '근무하다'.
농장에서 일합니다.
nong-jang-e-seo il-hap-ni-da., nong jang e seo il hap ni da.
'일하다' is natural for informal or manual labor like farming.
Which word should you use when working full-time at a formal company?
Which is appropriate for doing house chores?
What is natural when introducing a nurse working at a hospital?
What does it mean?
